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If you're like most people, you occasionally participate in superstitious thinking or behavior, often
without even realizing you're doing it. Just think: When was the last time you knocked on wood, walked
within the lines, avoided a black cat, or read your daily horoscope? These are all examples of superstitions, or
what Dr. Stuart Vyse calls magical thinking.
More than half of Americans admitted to being at least a little superstitious, according to a recent
Gallup poll. Additionally, beliefs in witches, ghosts and haunted houses have increased over the past decade.
But just what is the psychology behind our magical thinking, and is it hurting or helping us? When does
superstitious thinking go too far?
Driving Forces
Wanting more control or certainty is the driving force behind most superstitions. We tend to look for
some kind of a rule or explanation for why things happen. "Sometimes the creation of a false certainty is
better than no certainty at all, and that is what much of the research suggests," says Vyse.
Job interviews, testing, and other situations where we want things to go well -- regardless of our own
preparation or performance -- can spur superstitious thoughts. "We are often in situations in life where
something really important is about to happen, we've prepared for it as best we can, but it's still uncertain,"
Vyse says. No matter how confident or prepared you are for an event, things can still happen beyond your
control. "Superstitions provide people with the sense that they've done one more thing to try to ensure the
outcome they are looking for."
Friend or Foe?
A sense of security and confidence are perhaps the greatest benefits we get emotionally from
superstitious thinking or behavior. "There can be a real psychological effect of superstitious thoughts," says
Vyse. If you've done well before when you had a particular shirt on, for example, it might prove wise to wear
the shirt again, if it helps to relieve anxiety and promotes positive thoughts. But this way of thinking can also
hinder your performance, if, say, you lose your lucky object.
It's not news that expectations can be extremely powerful and suggestive. Studies regularly point to
placebo effects (both positive and negative), which are entirely caused by the power of expectations or
preconceptions. Yet superstitions can also play a negative role in our lives, especially when combined with a
bad habit such as gambling. If you're a compulsive gambler who believes that you can get lucky, then that
belief may contribute to your problem.
Phobic (fearful) superstitions can also interfere with our lives, and cause a lot of anxiety, says Vyse. For
example, people who are afraid of Friday the 13th might change travel arrangements or skip an appointment
because of unnecessary anxiety. These types of superstitions offer no benefit at all.
Vocabulary Match the underlined words from the text with its contextual meaning.
1. significance a. believe in
2. mantra b. copy, resemble
3. mimic c. create, encourage, lead to
4. irrational d. dangerous, disease-like
5. spur e. have a negative effect
6. outcome f. hit, thrown around (such as in a storm)
7. hinder g. ideas you have about something before you actually see it
8. placebo h. inside yourself
9. preconceptions i. meaning, importance
10. internal j. not logical
11. external k. outside yourself, in other people or situations
12. buffeted l. result
13. subscribe to m. something you believe improves your situation but actually does nothing
14. pathological n. words or phrases used during meditation
Reading Comprehension
1. What is the difference between a ritual and a superstition, according to Dr. Vyse?
2. Are there any psychological problems that can be mistaken for superstition?
3. Can superstitions be helpful? Why / why not? Give examples.
4. Why are women usually more superstitious than men?
5. Are there any connections between intelligence and being superstitious?
6. What can superstitions do for communities?
a. Find a penny, pick it up, and all day long youll have good luck.
Discussion b. Dont walk under a ladder.
1. Think about the superstitions listed in the c. Break a mirror and youll have seven years of bad luck.
box. What might be the psychological or d. Dont open an umbrella inside a building or youll invite bad
practical reason for these beliefs? luck.
e. Bad luck (or deaths, or bad news) comes in threes.
f. Beginners luck you are more likely to win a game the first
time you play it.
2. Polls in the United States have found the How superstitious are you? How can you become unlucky?
following statistics about Americans and 1% are very superstitious 13% black cat crosses your path
superstition. How would statistics about 24% are somewhat superstitious 12% walking under a ladder
Slovenes compare? 28% are not very superstitious 11% breaking a mirror
47% are not superstitious at all 9% the number 13